Page 1 of 15

Scratch build SDKFZ 251 / 23 Ausf D Recce vehicle in 1:11 s

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 4:32 pm
by Sub
Hi.
Re the above,
Now that i have only 1 scratch build on the go i have started the above vehicle, its an up armoured SDKFZ 251 Ausf D halftrack which was fitted with a Puma 234/1 turret for reconnaissance purposes housing a KWK 38, 20mm Flak cannon and a MG42 Machine gun.
It was approved for manufacture and deployment late in the war and not many actually made it to the troops due to the fall of Germany, so its quite a rare thing.
It will be built from what i have available plus materials, plastic card, brass etc.
It will be at 1/11 scale, a good size to use off road but not tooo big...and i can make it very robust etc.

Would there be any interest on the forum at all ?.
Sub.

Re: Scratch build SDK.FZ 251 / 23 Ausf D Recce vehicle in 1:

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 7:30 pm
by 43rdRecceReg
Do continue :thumbup: Personally, I always approve of folk who can magic things up from flatpacks, offcuts, hobby detritus, and things that just 'come to hand'. The improvisation (necessarily) involved; the acquired expertise; and lateral thinking can all serve as an inspiration to builders here on the Forum. :) At the same time, a 1:11 scale model is likely to be unique here. :D
Going by your success with earlier challenges, this will be worth following.

Re: Scratch build SDK.FZ 251 / 23 Ausf D Recce vehicle in 1:

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 8:43 pm
by Sub
Hi Mr 43rdRecceReg.
Thank you for your reply, at least i now know my PC is working. :haha: .
As there appears to be little interest, i wont bother with a build log, i will just post a few pics for your personal delight and delectation along the way.
Here's a pic of the scratch built turned brass PWK 38 2cm barrell.
Sub.

Re: Scratch build SDK.FZ 251 / 23 Ausf D Recce vehicle in 1:

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 3:48 pm
by Sub
More KWK 38.
Some with and without the removable magazine and one in the mounting of the Hangelafette turret with mount and optic and manual sights.
Still a work in progress.
The vehicles full title is a Hangelafette 38 Auf Mittlere Schutzenpanzerwagon for those intetested.
Sub.

Re: Scratch build SDK.FZ 251 / 23 Ausf D Recce vehicle in 1:

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2021 2:18 am
by Estnische
Love your work with brass tube Sub. Sometimes forum members don't reply, but that doesn't mean they aren't watching with interest.

Please keep posting build photos - as Roy said, sometime, somewhere it will motivate others to modify or build something different.

Re: Scratch build SDK.FZ 251 / 23 Ausf D Recce vehicle in 1:

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2021 7:22 am
by HERMAN BIX
Hell, I'm watching for sure !!
Way I see it is that anything done in any larger scale could be done in a smaller scale too.

Re: Scratch build SDK.FZ 251 / 23 Ausf D Recce vehicle in 1:

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2021 4:18 pm
by Herr Dr. Professor
Gee, miracle worker: I am watching. You're w-a-a-y beyond my skill level, but I sure do enjoy seeing your photos and explanations.

Re: Scratch build SDK.FZ 251 / 23 Ausf D Recce vehicle in 1:

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2021 6:37 pm
by midlife306
I’m watching


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Scratch build SDK.FZ 251 / 23 Ausf D Recce vehicle in 1:

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 2:07 pm
by Sub
Hi chaps,
Many thx for your intetest and comments, they are very much appreciated.
Onto the front axle.
After studying various photos and models of the original axle i decided that at scale this would be a weak point for a model that will be used primarily outdoors in the rough so i decided to deviate from the original design and make my own version of it, much, much more rigid and stronger.

The original is a single solid beam axle with a large inverted leaf spring mounted to an upper pivot point for articulation, i decided this was the weak point as a lot of leverage will be place on this point as the axle tries to move for and aft on the model so i moved the pivot point lower to allieviate some of the leverage, i also did away with the leaf spring and opted for dual coil springs mounted onto the upper beam of the axle and fixed to a full vehicle width mounting beam bolted to the chassis, this would make it very secure.

This axle will be a solid beam articulating axle but with an upper and lower beam for strength.

I prepared a scale drawing of the axle that i had in my head and it looked like it would work so i decided to make it from some rectangular section brass stock thay i had in my metal store.
Sorry for all the above splather but thought it neccesary to explain why i deviated from true scale and a picture paints a thousand words so here goes.

First pic of the brass i was using plus one beam already made and a pic of the drawing.

Second pic shows the steering knuckles made from brass and 4mm steel wheel stub axles

Third pic both upper and lower beams bolted togethet with steering knuckles attached and lower pivot point on upper beam, also steering arms fitted to the steering knuckles with individual adjustment for each knuckle ( more on that later )

Also lower coil spring mounts can be seen on the upper beam.
Just for informaripn, after each beam was cut and bent and soldered in place one end was blocked up and each beam was filled with resin to make it a solid structure and to stop the section from crushing when the bolts were tightened or some of the joints opening up.

Phew!!! Thats enough for now.
Sub.

Re: Scratch build SDK.FZ 251 / 23 Ausf D Recce vehicle in 1:

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 5:12 pm
by Sub
A few more pics.
First pic ,
the complete axle with the upper chassis mount and springs in place, note that with the springs fully extended the pivot mount will not engage, this is by design as when the pivot mount is engaged the coil springs are already under slight compression, this is to stop them popping out from the upper or lower mounts when the axle is fully deflected either up or down.

Second pic,
axle engaged in the pivot, the spring upper and lower mounts have been turned down in the lathe so that they fit approx 3mm inside the spring, again to make sure they are securley located on their mounts and cannot move when in use.

Third pic ,
a better view of the spring mountings.

Forth pic,
close up of spring locating
Sub.